STORY COUNTY, IOWA — A semi truck hauling hogs caught fire in the southbound lanes of Interstate 35 near Huxley on Thursday afternoon, prompting an emergency response and snarling traffic for hours.

Emergency crews responded at approximately 3:30 p.m. to reports of the semi fire. Captain Nicholas Lennie with the Story County Sheriff's Office confirmed the truck was hauling hogs and that some of the animals had to be euthanized due to their injuries sustained in the incident.

The right lane of southbound I-35 was initially blocked, causing approximately 20-minute delays for drivers. The road cleared shortly after 6 p.m., according to the Iowa Department of Transportation 511 website.

It is unknown at this time whether any people were injured in connection with the fire.

📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.